I finally ordered a set of wheels for my S197. American Muscle has their charcoal 18x9 30mm offset Nurburgring-like wheels on clearance for $69 each -
http://www.americanmuscle.com/charcoal-amr-18x9-0512.html
I'm hoping they actually ship and this isn't some run-around - but at less than $280 for a set AND free shipping I figure it's worth a shot. I could probably turn a CL profit on them if nothing else.
If you want a spare set of wheels, you might want to check it out.
Those look pretty damn good. Offset is +30 for those wondering. Weight is 24.7 pounds - not awesome but it's not a small rim either.
They're pretty common Mustang aftermarket rims. I think they're downstocking the 18 since everyone now wants 19+ because the later cars all came with 19s. American Muscle is one of the bigger Mustang parts places and have a pretty good rep, although there is the occasional stocking/delivery horror story.
Weight is okay but not super light. They do weigh almost exactly the same as my factory 17x8 bullits, so with new 275/40 tires I should end up one lb lighter than my current 255/50 setup. They're decent knock-off quality rims and should be fine on a street car. Not sure I'd do a LOT of hard core open track on them...I think I'd spend a little more on stronger/lighter wheels.
I figure maybe I'll hunt down some lightly-used stickies for the stock 17s now...
I would NOT exceed the recommended max rim width on a tire spec. Not only are there safety issues, it looks like crap IMHO. I'm pretty sure you don't want to run anything less than a 255 on a 9" wide rim.
That's a screamin' deal there, nice score.
Bought most of my parts from AM, good quality, fast free shipping. Wouldn't hesitate to deal there anytime.
Thought about that exact charcoal wheel but went w/ the 18X9 AMR Silver wheel w/ Nitto 555's in a combo deal to complement the '05 Satin Silver paint. Free mount, balance and shipping. Excellent packaging, fast shipping but each wheel was out one full ounce, no big deal tho.
AM advertises that AMR wheel as 'drift inspired' but to me that style has the road race look I was after and for the right money.
Great choice there. What color car it goin' on?
Satin Silver '05 GT with custom black on center section of hood and between lights on trunk, black Steeda wing, and black rocker stripes. Sort of the Steeda look but not quite. Pics in my garage, I think.
I would really liked to have the machined face Nurburgrings with the black painted edges but these will do for the price. Should look great but it's a very popular wheel around here. I like to be a little different.
Will these fit 03 and up Panthers?
...and they've shipped. No tracking info yet, but email says east coast is 1-2 days standard. not bad for free shipping...
Appleseed wrote: Will these fit 03 and up Panthers?
i don't see why not. they use the same bolt pattern and the stock wheels look to have a lot of backspacing..
They have the SN95 version on clearance as well:
novaderrik wrote:Appleseed wrote: Will these fit 03 and up Panthers?i don't see why not. they use the same bolt pattern and the stock wheels look to have a lot of backspacing..
03+ panthers run a similar offset to the 05+ mustangs. Aka it is a high offset, i believe in the 45-50mm range. These would probably stick out quite a bit.
the pre-02s run close to a zero offset so these would need spacers/adapters on an older panther.
pics http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2701269
Interestingly...if you dig into the tech specs both wheels list a 30mm offset. Meaning the ones going on my 05 will be a 30mm offset, so it might work on the panther if they're similar. I know the factory GT500 wheels from 06 were the widest early stock wheels at 18x9.5 and they had a 45 or 48 mm offset.
I don't know beans about Panthers.
if they don't fit you could always craigslist them for $100/ wheel all day long.
once i saw them listed for 05+ mustangs i had to double check the panther stuff too. i posted a link above with photos of 18x9+30 on a later panther.
I think a +45 on a panther is about flush with the fenders (I was researching 18 inch wheel fitment recently for late panthers)
When I see something like this I can't help but think how overpriced these were to begin with...
hmm
they are usually north of 120 bucks each.
were on sale for 100 earlier this year.
Ordered a set for our 2012. I was holding out for 19's. but the 245/45's I have on there now will fit these wheels and I can get the next size up in tires later. Wife is soopa excited (car is hers.)
Mine should be delivered tomorrow. It will be a few months before I wear out the current tires and buy the new size tires to get them on the car. I will open all four and inspect them though, and probably test fit one this weekend sans tire.
I've watched them for a while. List price is $170 but they're normally selling for $149.99. I've seen them hit $109.99 and almost bough then, but $69.99 is too good to let go.
I must admit, I'm pretty stoked.
Same 18X9 AMR wheels in silver with 255/45-18s
Got a lotta compliments on these wheels. Looks great in any color.
AM currently has the Silver 18X9 AMRs for $109, btw.
That's ridiculous...I'm not even sure whether or not I will end up buying an S197, but am still considering buying these as insurance/motivation.
I was originally looking at the silvers and almost pulled the trigger at $109, but I like the charcoal too and for $40 less per wheel it made the decision easier. I'm running 255s currently, so the new wheels will get 275/40s 
I do like the silver on silver look though. Very nice. Almost makes me rethink my purchase.
friend of mine has those on his mustang with some goofy sticky tires on, seems legit!
ultraclyde wrote: Mine should be delivered tomorrow. It will be a few months before I wear out the current tires and buy the new size tires to get them on the car. I will open all four and inspect them though, and probably test fit one this weekend sans tire. I've watched them for a while. List price is $170 but they're normally selling for $149.99. I've seen them hit $109.99 and almost bough then, but $69.99 is too good to let go. I must admit, I'm pretty stoked.
I really REALLY wanted a set of 18x10 square. but the online rep was no help. Vorshlag has done it but has kept quiet about what the offsets are. Somewhere around 35. I'm not sure why AM wont even try 18x10 on the front...
My wife is really excited.
The only issue for the 2012's is that they made the wheel wells huge. So 18's on the car look silly... 235/50/18 is the stock tire. I fixed it somewhat by going 245/45/18 on teh stock wheels. Not sure what tire I'll run when those wear out...
This purchase has me contemplating lowering springs done at teh same time. But if I do lowering springs and I have to touch the fronts I might as well do struts at the same time and if i"m doing struts I might as well do the rear shocks and if I'm touching the rear i might as well do a watts link...
I can keep going until well into the $4k range... :(
Driven5 wrote: That's ridiculous...I'm not even sure whether or not I will end up buying an S197, but am still considering buying these as insurance/motivation.
well the bolt pattern is 5x114.3 so (centerbore diameter permitting) it will fit a lot more than just a Ford.
In reply to Mad_Ratel:
I know Sky Render is running an 18x10 square setup, I think with wheels from AM. Check the project cars forum here for the "Evil Pony" build. Not sure what year his car is though...
If you want to drop $4k on one, check out the full street suspension setup from Cortex motorsports. That's the way I may end up going if the dollars happen. Much likey. Also much spendy.
Hey Fasted58 - is that silver pony at factory ride height or has it been lowered?
In reply to failboat:
Good point. I could try to convince my wife that if all else fails they could always become a 2nd set of rims for her RAV4, so that she can have a dedicated set of wintery tires...Safety first!
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